'Trudeau is Alone': Fifth Canadian Province Abandons Vaccine Passports Amid Crackdown on Freedom Convoy
Canadian provinces are turning their backs on Trudeau in droves as the flailing prime minister lashes out at Freedom Convoy protesters with authoritarian crackdowns.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, amid
collapsing domestic approval ratings, is witnessing full-scale abandonment in the provinces, which is taking place as he moves to implement martial law on Freedom Convoy protesters who simply want their basic human rights respected.
Quebec is the latest province to revolt from the Canadian prime minister's vaccine passport policy, Keean Bexte
reported. "Trudeau is alone," Bexte remarked.
On Monday, Quebec Premier François Legault
met with public health officials Monday night to discuss lifting the province's vaccine passport system. That announcement came on Tuesday afternoon.
Quebec thus becomes the fifth province to announce the end of the vaccine passports, joining Alberta, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, and Ontario.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford denied that ending the mandates was a concession to the Freedom Convoy protesters.
"As of March 1, the province of Ontario will no longer require people show proof of vaccination to enter any indoor spaces, the premier, Doug Ford, announced on Monday morning," the New York Times
reported.
“Let me be very clear: We’re moving in this direction because it’s safe to do so,’’ Mr. Ford said. “Today’s announcement is not because of what’s happening in Ottawa, or Windsor, but despite it.”
But the announcement followed soon after Alberta and Saskatchewan also lifted vaccine mandates.
"Alberta and Saskatchewan are the first Canadian provinces to end vaccine passport programs as well as other major COVID-19 mandates," Complex CA
reported on Wednesday.
"Tuesday at midnight, Alberta’s vaccine passport system will came to an end," the report added. "Premier Jason Kenney announced this will be the first public health restriction lifted in a phased approach."
"Kenney plans for Alberta’s mask mandate to be lifted next Monday for children," the report added. "All indoor masking regulations are set to be eliminated for March 1. Capacity limits will be stopped for all events under 500 people."
“Our approach to COVID must change as the disease changes,” Kenney said about ending the mandates.
Alberta is similarly ending vaccine proof-of-vaccination requirements and other Covid restrictions.
"Beginning Feb. 14, Saskatchewan is set to end negative test or proof-of-vaccination requirements," Complex CA noted. "Premier Scott Moe announced he will also be ending self-isolation for testing positive and indoor mask requirements by the end of the month. He said his decision was influenced by a “blend” of science and people across the province."
Meanwhile, Prince Edward Island is taking a phased approach to ending its mandates, including the province's "vax pass."
"Step 3 is slated for April 7," CBC CA
reported last week. "This final step is when it is anticipated masking will no longer be required, the P.E.I. Vax Pass will be discontinued and there will be no limits on gatherings."
British Columbia is also coming under increasing pressure to drop its vaccine passports.
"They all say follow the science, and we believe that the science is now saying the passports don't make sense," business owner Bruce Findlay said.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, however, insisted,
pace the actual science, that vaccines lower Omicron variant transmission.
Despite the provinces abandoning his authoritarian policies, Justin Trudeau on Monday invoked the Emergencies Act to suspend civil rights and impose a state of martial law on Freedom Convoy protests. The Canadian Prime Minister made the announcement on Monday.
“We cannot and will not allow illegal and dangerous activities to continue,” Trudeau said in the speech, claiming, “serious challenges to law enforcement’s ability to effectively enforce the law.”
However, a number of premiers have pushed back against Trudeau for invoking the Emergencies Act, stating the law enforcement have sufficient tools to handle the peaceful protests.
